Using the SEER registries, CEP researchers study differences in the diffusion and use of cancer treatment among different health-care providers and the effect of this variation on patient outcome across different demographic groups.

As part of this effort, CEP members actively participate in the NCI-funded Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance (CanCORS) consortium. Established in 2001 by the National Cancer Institute and the Veterans Administration, this collection of research teams studies how different characteristics and beliefs of cancer patients, providers and health-care organizations influence cancer treatments and outcomes. The goal of this work is to identify gaps in evidence-based clinical practice, as well as disparities in cancer care by age, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Researchers are also studying possible connections between an increased risk for certain cancers and commonly used drugs. Correlations under study include antibiotics and breast cancer, as well as methylphenidate and a number of cancers.